custee



(No Model.)

G. M. UUSTER.

GATE. I N0. 294,971. Patented Mar. 11, 1884.

nvmvrm wlrnliissfo I Attorney UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. CUSTER, OF MATTOON, ILLINOIS.

GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iacent No. 294,971, dated. March 11, 1884.

Application filed September 10,1883.

toon, in the county of Goles and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gates, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in farm-gates, and it has for its objects to provide a gate that will be simple in construction, easily worked, not liable to get out of repair, and which may be cheaply constructed. These objects I attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lrepresents an elevation, showing my improved gate closed. Fig. 2 represents a similar View, showing the gate opened; and Fig. 3 represents a cross-section taken on the line on a: of Fig. 1.

The letter A indicates a vertical wooden standard, securely fastened in the ground; and B, a shorter one, fastened in the ground at a suitable distance 011 one side of the standard A. The standards A and B are provided with grooved rollers O,upon which the gate slides,

as more fully hereinafter shown.

The letter D indicates the gate, which is constructed of horizontal bars or rails E, secured between the vertical bars F, the central slats or rails extending to the rear, and connected to the upper rails and rear vertical bars by means of the braces G. The horizontal slats have secured to them the cleats A, which are fastened alternately to the top and bottom of the sides of said rails or slats. These cleats are long enough to keep the rails or slats of the gate from warping, and of proper width and thickness to carry the hereinafter-described diagonal and upright rails or braces at a sufficient distance from the horizontal rails or slats to prevent the rollers G from binding or interfering with the said braces. The cleats are placed alternately at the top and bottom of one side of the rails or slats, for the purpose of preventing the said rollers from interfering with them. The gate is provided on one side with a diagonal brace, I, which is secured to the upper corner of the gate at one end and to the lower'corner at the other, the said brace sitting against the cleats,

(No model.)

I as shown. In connection with the diagonal brace and cleats, the gate is also provided with vertical braces K, which strengthen it and render it firm and substantial. The gate is arranged to travel upon the grooved rollers before mentioned, the upper and lower pairs of slats embracing the rollers on the standard A, and the central slats the roller on the standard B, so that the gate will be compelled to travel in a true plane.

The letter L indicates a short standard planted directly opposite the standard A, at a suitable distance therefrom. To this is fulcrumed one end of a toggle-lever, M, the other end of which is fulcrumed to the forward upper corner of the gate. To the rear arm of said lever is pivoted a link, N, which extends upward, and is provided with a shorter link, P, the links being respectively loosely connected to the pins or screws R at the adjacent ends of the operating-levers S, which are fulcrumed to an arm, T, secured to the standard A, and extending to each side of the gate, the said levers being provided with connections U, by means of which they can be operated to open and close the gate.

The operation of my invention willbe readily understood in connection with the above description, and is as follows: When the gate is closed, upon pulling upon either operatinglever, it will be unlocked and thrown back into the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

When in this position, upon pulling upon either lever, it will be thrown back again and closed and locked. In either position it will be observed that the toggle-lever will so lock the gate that it cannot be moved except through the medium of the operating-levers. It will be seen, also, that the gate is supported by the rollers at three points, each series of slats traveling upon one of the rollers, so that the gateis compelled to run truly and freely under all circumstances. Two of the horizontal rails,

end of the gate and lock into recessesVin the gate-post W, which is suitably located with respect to the other parts of the gate.

In some instances the toggle-lever, at its forward end, may be fulcrumed to the center of the gate, and the link attached at the joint of the toggle-lever without departing from the spirit of my invention. This latter conit will be seen, project beyondthe forwardv struction is particularly applicable to long gates.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

A gate the horizontal rails of which are provided with horizontal cleats located alternately near the top and bottom, upon the sides of said rails, and having vertical braces to IO cover them, and adiagonal brace over said vertical braces, in combination with a post or posts carrying rollers which play between the rails and between the cleats, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 15 presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE )I. CUSTER. \Vitnesscs:

CHAS. D. DAVIS, E. L. Ynwnm. 

